PSA: Try hang-drying some of your clothes next time you do the laundry. It’s gentler on your clothes (which allows them to last longer), gentler on your energy bill, and gentler on the planet.

Tips:
(1) Wash your clothes on a high-spin cycle. This gets most of the water out of your clothes, so your clothes will dry more quickly and won’t stretch under the weight of excess water once you’ve hung them to dry.
(2) If you’re worried about wrinkles or stiffness, you can toss your clothes into the dryer on a no-heat/air-fluff setting for 3-5 minutes before transferring them to a drying rack.
(3) If you’re drying indoors, position your rack in a well-ventilated spot, near a window and/or ceiling fan, if possible.
(4) To prevent fading from the sunlight, turn your colored and printed garments inside-out. Whites, however, benefit from the sun’s natural bleaching power.
(5) Make sure you don’t overcrowd garments on the rack. Thicker or larger items (like a pair of jeans) can be hung over two bars, rather than one.

For more laundry wisdom, look up Patric Richardson, also known as the “Laundry Evangelist” and author of the book Laundry Love. This guy really knows his stuff – and he’ll make you appreciate the art of laundering clothes. Sounds crazy, but it’s true!